Kingston and Frail send out Champions League roar

STEVIE FRAIL and Laryea Kingston today united to urge Hearts towards a final push for the Champions League qualifying rounds for the second successive season.

Assisted by Frail, Anatoli Korobochka enjoyed a 2-0 victory at Fir Park last night in his first match as interim head coach of the Edinburgh club. A header from Ibrahim Tall and an own goal by Motherwell's Stephen Craigan propelled Hearts to joint-third place in the SPL alongside Aberdeen.

However, Frail and Kingston are looking beyond UEFA Cup qualification for next season, with their attentions focused on second-placed Rangers and a possible return to the Champions League.

"It's still achievable and that's what we're striving for," said Frail. "A lot was said about us applying for the Intertoto Cup recently. I think everybody had a wee laugh at that because we were in the Champions League qualifiers last year and all the negativity that goes with this club.

"But all we did was post an interest in it. Beating Motherwell keeps us close to Aberdeen and Rangers after both of them won at the weekend, so second place is definitely our aim."

Kingston's expert crossing created both Hearts' goals last night, and the Ghanaian's thoughts follow a similar theme to Frail's. "It was very important to grab the three points. We are aiming to be second if possible and we are looking to win every game that we play," he said.

"We hope Rangers lose a couple of games and that will help us to get second place. For now, we are aiming to overtake Aberdeen."

Hearts visit Pittodrie on Saturday for a match which has serious European connotations, but after victory at a rain-lashed Fir Park Frail believes he can help to further raise confidence at Tynecastle.

"I hope to have an influence on things here. I'm not taking any great credit for the result last night but it's pleasing to see everything you are working for coming off," he said.

Lithuanian striker Edgaras Jankauskas was withdrawn during the interval with Hearts 1-0 in front at the time, but Frail said this was a planned alteration by Korobochka. "The decision was just made at half-time, Anatoli thought a change might give us more mobility with Michal Pospisil coming on."

The assistant coach also took time to praise Lithuanian debutant Linas Pilibaitis, who gave an impressive display full of craft and technique in midfield. "He had only played a game and a half in the reserves before last night and he tired near the end. But I thought he worked hard and put a shift in. He's more of an attacking midfielder, like Larry, and I was pleased with him."

Taken from the Scotsman